Recognizing Stroke Symptoms In Cats: What Owners Should Know

Cats can have strokes, but it is a rare occurrence. A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, occurs when there is an interruption in blood flow to the brain. This can be due to a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel. While strokes in cats are less common than in humans, they can be quite serious and require immediate veterinary attention. Symptoms of a stroke in cats include stumbling, head-pressing, weakness, abnormal eye movements, head tilting, circling, and falling. If you notice any of these signs in your cat, it is important to seek veterinary help right away as prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for your cat's recovery.

Check for abnormal head tilting or turning

If you suspect your cat has had a stroke, it's important to check for abnormal head tilting or turning. This is a common symptom of a stroke in cats and can indicate pressure on a specific part of the brain. You may notice your cat holding its head at a strange angle, with one ear lower than the other. This can be a result of a tilting, turning, or twisting of the head.

Abnormal head tilting or turning can also be a symptom of another problem, such as vestibular disease, which affects the cat's sense of balance and orientation. However, it is still cause for concern and requires an immediate trip to the veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.

In addition to head tilting or turning, you may also notice other signs of a stroke in your cat, such as stumbling, circling, or abnormal eye movements. These symptoms can occur very quickly and indicate a sudden interruption in blood flow to the brain.

If you suspect your cat is having a stroke, it is important to seek immediate veterinary care. While strokes in cats are less common and tend to be less severe than in humans, they can still be serious and require prompt attention.

Observe for unstable walking or circling

If you suspect your cat may have had a stroke, it's important to observe their walking ability. Cats who have suffered a stroke may experience unstable walking or circling, also known as ataxia. This can manifest as staggering, falling to one side, or walking in circles as if drunk. This occurs due to pressure on a portion of the brain.

In addition to unstable walking, you may notice postural defects or weakness on one side of the body. Your cat might also struggle to measure steps or show signs of weakness in all four legs. These symptoms can help differentiate a stroke from other conditions, such as vestibular disease, which primarily affects the inner ear.

If your cat is displaying signs of unstable walking or circling, it is crucial to seek immediate veterinary care. While strokes in cats are less common and often less severe than in humans, they still require prompt medical attention to ensure your cat's best chance of recovery.

In the meantime, provide your cat with a comfortable and calm environment, and ensure they have easy access to food, water, and their litter box. Keep them indoors and separated from other pets to prevent any unintentional injuries. With proper care and treatment, some cats can recover well from strokes.

Check for tremors and muscle spasms

If you suspect your cat has had a stroke, it's important to check for tremors and muscle spasms. These can manifest as uncontrolled shaking or spasms, which may be constant and obvious, or they could be intermittent. Tremors may be localised to certain areas of the body or occur from head to tail. In some cases, tremors may manifest as head bobbing when the cat is focusing on a task.

Muscle tremors in cats are often indicative of an underlying condition, some of which can be life-threatening. For example, adult-onset muscle tremors are commonly a sign of pyrethroid toxicosis, which requires immediate medical attention.

If you notice any tremors or muscle spasms in your cat, it is important to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

Look for signs of depression

If you suspect your cat has had a stroke, it's important to look out for signs of depression. While cats don't usually express their emotions in the same way as humans, they can still experience similar feelings of fear, sadness, contentment, and affection. Here are some things to look out for:

• Changes in vocalization: Your cat may meow more or less than usual. Unhappy cat noises are often low-pitched, mournful yowls or crying.
• Body language: Look out for ears held back, slit eyes or pupils, a tucked or wagging tail, and hair standing on end. These are all forms of silent communication that can indicate depression.
• Changes in sleep patterns: Cats normally sleep a lot, but a depressed cat may sleep even more. Changes in the location of their favourite nap spot can also be indicative of sadness, especially if the new spot is hidden or out-of-the-way. Conversely, a depressed cat may seem to have trouble sleeping and may become restless at bedtime.
• Lack of grooming: Depressed cats often stop grooming and may look unkempt. However, some cats may groom excessively when anxiety accompanies depression.
• Changes in appetite: A depressed cat may stop eating or eat less than usual. They may lose interest in their favourite treats and may even snub foods they previously enjoyed.
• Inappropriate elimination: A depressed cat may start urinating or defecating outside of the litter box. They may do this in high-value areas or places where the scent of a deceased pet or missing human lingers to spread their scent.
• Increased scratching: A sad cat may scratch furniture or other objects more than usual to relieve stress and mark their territory.
• Loss of interest in activities: A depressed cat may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, such as playing. They may become lethargic or reclusive and spend more time hiding from people and other pets.
• Changes in social behaviour: Naturally independent cats may become clingy or demanding when they are depressed. Their fear of strangers may also become heightened. Some cats may become more reactive and act out with aggression or fearfulness.

Examine the cat's eyes for unequal pupil sizes and abnormal eye movements

If you suspect your cat may have had a stroke, it's important to act quickly. Begin by examining your cat's eyes for any signs of unequal pupil sizes and abnormal eye movements. This may manifest as nystagmus, where the eyes flick from side to side due to a lack of blood supply to the nerves that feed the eyes. This condition can also cause motion sickness in cats, leading to nausea.

In addition to checking for unequal pupil sizes, look out for other signs such as a head tilt or rapidly moving pupils. These symptoms could indicate increased pressure on specific parts of the brain. However, they may also be indicative of other neurological issues or vestibular disease, which affects the cat's sense of balance and orientation.

If you notice any abnormalities in your cat's eyes or other concerning symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate veterinary care. The veterinarian will be able to perform a thorough examination and conduct diagnostic tests to determine the cause of these issues and provide appropriate treatment options.

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